Thank you for your detailed and cogent postings. The future liveability of our neighbourhoods and city is certainly compromised.
I am also not happy with the idea that high rises are a given!
WHERE did all those neighbourhood plans go....... Dunbar’s planning sessions were comprehensive and reflected how neighbours could come together and build consensus..... unlike the process by the City Councils and City staff.....
Having just completed an infill house on a heritage property (50ft) I can certainly sympathize with anyone considering this option. Even with the land being "free", it may not be worth it under the current regs and policies. Mine worked because I grabbed a very low interest rate a year ago.
One really has no idea how crazy it can get. I was going to do one of these every couple of years in retirement, but probably not now. Not in Vancouver anyway. I wasn't given the option of strata title-ing so the house will be a rental into the future. No particular reason, but they made it a condition of approval. And to bring a heritage house up to the current codes requires complete gutting of the inside to the studs and masses of money, so probably not worth it, unless the result is extremely expensive units. How does that create "affordable" units. And then there's the basement suite. It took a year and 1/2 to satisfy the City, with ceiling heights, escape windows, changing all the ducting, separations, extra garbage area, extra parking, fire alarm system, on and on. We can't rent for anywhere near the value of the old suite to recover the cost. Again, not "affordable" any more. Your assessment of the extras required is good but not complete. Sewer separation with new tanks for example, HVAC requirements, insulation, handicapped access, and are there enough bird friendly bushes? Each year it gets harder for heritage properties, not easier.
I took the survey. I was mystified by the BMHO and attempted to find a way to ask how it would be financed.
Thank you for your detailed and cogent postings. The future liveability of our neighbourhoods and city is certainly compromised.
I am also not happy with the idea that high rises are a given!
WHERE did all those neighbourhood plans go....... Dunbar’s planning sessions were comprehensive and reflected how neighbours could come together and build consensus..... unlike the process by the City Councils and City staff.....
Terrific article.
Having just completed an infill house on a heritage property (50ft) I can certainly sympathize with anyone considering this option. Even with the land being "free", it may not be worth it under the current regs and policies. Mine worked because I grabbed a very low interest rate a year ago.
One really has no idea how crazy it can get. I was going to do one of these every couple of years in retirement, but probably not now. Not in Vancouver anyway. I wasn't given the option of strata title-ing so the house will be a rental into the future. No particular reason, but they made it a condition of approval. And to bring a heritage house up to the current codes requires complete gutting of the inside to the studs and masses of money, so probably not worth it, unless the result is extremely expensive units. How does that create "affordable" units. And then there's the basement suite. It took a year and 1/2 to satisfy the City, with ceiling heights, escape windows, changing all the ducting, separations, extra garbage area, extra parking, fire alarm system, on and on. We can't rent for anywhere near the value of the old suite to recover the cost. Again, not "affordable" any more. Your assessment of the extras required is good but not complete. Sewer separation with new tanks for example, HVAC requirements, insulation, handicapped access, and are there enough bird friendly bushes? Each year it gets harder for heritage properties, not easier.
Good work Brian, they have closed the online session (hopefully as they met their quota?) I hope they will put on another session
Brian, Much appreciation for keeping us all informed about what is really happening at cityhall.